Fintech platform Fundnel expands to Australia

They aim to build their presence in key cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

Online investment platform Fundnel recently announced their expansion into Australia, and with operations based in Adelaide, they aim to build their presence in other key cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

Fundnel’s CEO and co-founder Kelvin Lee notes that the platform in Australia will connect accredited Australian investors with local opportunities, and will in turn help local businesses accelerate their growth through capital raising whilst creating further room for innovation.

Lee notes, "Our focus remains on building our technology, growing our deal offerings for our stable of investors and providing these investors with tools to assist them in their due-diligence and investment activities."

Established in 2015 and now operating in Singapore, Fundnel uses data and technology to simplify private investing. It was established in the belief that investing in unlisted businesses (particularly start-ups and early stage) is high risk/high return investment strategy and carries significant risks such as illiquidity, loss of capital, rarity of dividends and dilution.

While other online platforms tend to function more as a wholesale listing venue, Fundnel curates deals based on financial markers, business fundamentals, and an understanding of local and regional investors’ interests.

"Our picture of the regional investment ecosystem is augmented and validated by our collection of private company data, which gives us an aggregate view of the type and size of transactions taking place in the region," he says.

Lee says he and Fundnel's co-founders (Justin Chow, CMO; Khai Lin Chua, CFO; and Benjamin Twoon, COO) began the business because many high-growth, mid-sized companies are unable to dedicate the time and resources required towards raising capital from the public and private investors.

"Companies would have to pay for every person required to support a single IPO, as well as listing fees to get access to capital markets," he says. "Furthermore, the whole process can take months, even years, and typically involves many different parties. This is where Fundnel comes in to fulfil the capital needs of such companies, by building the fundraising infrastructure that serves more of these businesses."

With their expansion to Australia, Fundnel maintains their commitment to make investment accessible. "We want to maintain an unwavering commitment to making private investments simple, accessible and transparent to everyone."